Kiladangan’s late surge ousts Brackens

GAA: FBD Insurance County Junior ‘B’ Hurling Semi-Final

Kiladangan 1-17

JK Brackens 1-12

Report: James Hayden in Moneygall

A final quarter surge ensured Kiladangan overcame JK Brackens in what proved a well-contested County Junior ‘B’ Hurling semi-final on Saturday.

Having overcame Silvermines after extra-time in a thrilling North final, Kiladangan went into this clash without the services of the influential Hughie Flannery and against a strong JK Brackens and they were really pushed right to the pin of their respective collars in a game that could have realistically went either way.

Crucially, a missed second half penalty played havoc with the Templemore side’s aspiration of reaching a county decider and had Paddy Delaney converted the 33rd minute opportunity it would have sent Brackens six clear and undoubtedly provided the platform for a possible victory.

Despite the miss, Brackens managed to keep their heads up above water in the third quarter to maintain a slender 1-10 to 0-12 lead at the second half water break.

However, matters went pear-shaped in the closing quarter with Michael Delaney’s charges registering just two further points while Kiladangan went on to fire a game-clinching 1-5. Bill Cleary’s game changing 56th minute goal proved the decisive score of the hour and having sought the lead for so long the North champions were propelled into a 1-13 to 1-12 lead following the corner-forward's first time pull, and indeed a lead which once attained was never relinquished.

Kiladangan persevered throughout and it was this determination and perseverance which eventually wore down a JK Brackens side who impressed in the opening half but were eventually worn down by, and succumbed to, a relentless Kiladangan challenge.

Darren Ryan opened the scoring for Eamonn Kelly’s charges after five minutes and indeed an eventual haul of ten points (nine from placed balls) from the impressive wing forward proved hugely influential. Brackens hit back with a Joe Bergin three-pointer before further points from Paddy Delaney (free) and Radek Natkaniec provided the Mid champions with an early cushion.

The buzzing Eoin Fitzpatrick added a 14th minute effort for Brackens before Eoin Gleeson swept over a beautifully struck effort to leave a goal between the sides once more. Paddy Delaney responded with a well-hit 65’ to ensure the Brackens led 1-4 to 0-3 at the first water break.

The Templemore men upped the tempo after the brief pause with points from Nicky Madden and Eoin Fitzpatrick stretching the advantage to six. Brackens were dominating the majority of the exchanges and did so for a ten-minute spell between the 19th & 29th minutes but with the interval approaching it was Kiladangan who were buoyed by successive Darren Ryan frees.

However, the Kiladangan marksman missed a handy free on 31 minutes, but Eoin Fitzpatrick responded with a cheekily struck effort from close to the stand side-line, with his attempt almost lobbing the back-pedalling Eoin O’Brien in the Kiladangan goal. Tom McLoughlin cut over a sublimely struck side-line before points from Pauric Kelly and Aidan Ryan deep in injury time left just two between the sides at half-time, 0-8 to 1-7.

Kiladangan were forced to replace their injured goalkeeper just before the interval with Liam Hayes drafted into the net-minding duties. Straight from the re-start Brackens went on the attack with Eoin Fitzpatrick raising a white flag before Paddy Delaney’s penalty miss put a major dent in their aspirations.

Kiladangan reduced the gap once more to a solitary point with Darren Ryan (free) and Neil Cahalan both finding their range. The men in blue and gold continued to remain in striking distance as the water break approached with Eoin Gleeson firing over a rousing 48th minute effort just before the water break to leave just one between the sides once more, 0-12 to 1-10.

Kiladangan ground down the Brackens in the closing quarter though and when Bill Cleary’s goals saw them seize the initiative there was no looking back for the men in blue and gold. Kiladangan’s killer instinct kicked in in the closing minutes and they whipped over five points without reply as the Brackens challenge stuttered and faltered.

The testing nature of Kiladangan’s victory will no doubt stand them in good stead for the county decider next Sunday against Clonoulty/Rossmore.

Impressive for the ‘Dangan were Jim Minehan, Tommy Connors, Tom McLoughlin, Eoin Gleeson, Neil Cahalan and Darren Ryan while Eoin Fitzpatrick, Paddy Delaney, Aidan Ivors, Radek Natkaneic and Joe Bergin caught the eye for JK Brackens.

Player of the Match: Darren Ryan (Kiladangan)

Kiladangan: Eoin O’Brien (7), Johnny McGrath (7), Jim Minehan (8), Michael Quigley (7); Eanna Gleeson (7), Tommy Connors (8), Cian Ryan (7); Tom McLoughlin (0-1 s-cut, 8), Neil Cahalan (0-2, 7); Paddy Coen (7), Eoin Gleeson (0-2, 8), Darren Ryan (0-10 (8f, 1 65’) 8); Bill Cleary (1-0, 7), Pauric Kelly (0-1, 7), Aidan Ryan (0-1, 7).

Subs: Liam Hayes (7) for O’Brien (25 inj); Conor Sheahan (6) for Coen (51); Dan Hackett (6) for Eoin Gleeson (56); Cathal Hanrahan (6) for Kelly (56); Oisin Ryan (NR) for Quigley (58).

JK Brackens: Denis Cody (7), Padraig Meade (7), Peter Burke (7), Ciaran Byrne (7); Radek Natkaniec (0-1, 7), Aidan Ivors (7), Frank McGrath (7); Paddy Delaney (0-5 (3f, 1 65’) 8), Niall Martin (6), Eoin Fitzpatrick (0-4, 8), Tom Deegan (6), Nicky Madden (0-1, 7); Niall Bourke (6), Joe Bergin (1-1, 7), Eddie Bergin (6).

Subs: Shane Bergin (6) for Bourke (HT); Paul Hanley (6) for Martin (36); Brian Roche (6) for Deegan (41); Mikey Kennedy (NR) for E. Bergin (60+3).

Referee: Ger Fitzpatrick (Roscrea)